Send this page / Print this page Home / Composites News / Products

26 Mar 2008  -  Germany

Curing agents and special systems for production of wind turbine blades

The motto of BASF’s presentation at this year’s JEC Composites Show in Paris is “Baxxodur: When Curing Makes the Difference.”

Under the Baxxodur trademark, BASF sells a broad range of curing agents, accelerators and additives for professional epoxy resin processing. For the first time, the company is presenting its expanded offering: epoxy resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites aimed specifically at the production of rotor blades for wind turbines. Attracting more than 1,000 exhibitors and over 25,000 visitors, the show is one of the most important composites trade shows worldwide.
Ever larger rotor blades help modern wind turbines to become increasingly efficient. To facilitate rotor spans in excess of 100 meters, which are not uncommon at all these days, you need exceptionally high-performing materials. Conventional polyester-based composites are therefore increasingly replaced by more resilient fiber-reinforced materials based on epoxy resins. The design of the rotor blades, the raw materials used and the production process must be perfectly aligned with each other in order to achieve optimum performance.

Systematic enhancement of production process efficiency
BASF’s new system offer for epoxy resin users currently comprises two infusion resin systems and one laminating resin system designed specifically for the production of wind turbine rotor blades. These systems, which consist of a resin compound and a curing-agent compound that are carefully adapted to one another, will produce fiber-reinforced component parts that feature low weight and exceptionally high mechanical strength.
“Wind turbine manufacturers need innovative epoxy resin systems to cut their production times and increase their productivity accordingly,” said Dr. Gregor Daun, who heads the Epoxy System Development and Marketing unit recently set up by BASF’s operating division Intermediates. “Our systems can support our customers in these efforts.” Yet Daun and his team do not stop there: “Right now we are working on a line of new curing agents that have very promising characteristics. We are confident that these products will play a major role for the next generation of epoxy resin systems,“ said Dr. Michael Henningsen, who is in charge of product development in this area, and Daun added: “Shorter cycle times and further improved mechanical strength are the goals on which our development work focuses.” The BASF systems have been approved by Germanischer Lloyd AG and meet their performance requirements. Approval by Germanischer Lloyd, which is one of the world’s leading insurance companies, is a major criterion in the wind energy industry.

Large portfolio of curing agents
BASF offers a large portfolio of amine-based curing agents and accelerators that are used specifically to cure epoxy resins. The amines that BASF sells by the Baxxodur trade name are crucial in determining the properties of the finished product made from the epoxy resins. Apart from tensile strength and impact strength, chemical and thermal resistance can also be adjusted by means of the curing agent. Hence, the amines influence the properties of the finished products and play a vital role in improving production efficiency.

About BASF Intermediates
The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces and markets the world’s largest range of intermediates containing more than 600 products. The most important of the division’s product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001:2000-certified Intermediates division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2006, the division generated world sales of about €2.3 billion with 2,600 employees.

About BASF
BASF is one of the world’s leading chemical companies. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007.

Source : BASF